Ezekiel 33

CHAPTER 33

Ezekiel a Watchman (33:1–20)

1–6 This chapter marks the beginning of the third and final section of Ezekiel’s prophecies. In the first part of the book, Ezekiel prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem (Chapters 1–24); this was the punishment God gave the Israelites for disobeying His covenant commands (see Leviticus 26:14–39 and comment). In the second part of the book Ezekiel prophesied against the pagan nations that surrounded Israel (Chapters 25–32); these nations had, in effect, cursed Israel, and therefore God cursed them—just as He had promised Abraham in the beginning (Genesis 12:3).

Now in this third section (Chapters 3348), Ezekiel prophesies concerning Israel’s future restoration. The exiles in Babylonia were about to receive news of the fall of Jerusalem; their hopes for a speedy end to their exile would be crushed. So God instructs Ezekiel in these remaining chapters to give the exiles words of consolation, words of hope. The Israelites will one day be restored to their land; they will be given a new heart, a new spirit, and a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 18:31). Then God’s grand purpose for establishing the nation of Israel will come to its final climax in the Messianic age—with the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

In verses 1–20, the Lord gives some words about personal responsibility. Each individual is responsible for his or her own actions. The Lord gives the example of a city watchman, whose job is to warn the people of an approaching sword—an invading army (verses 2–3). If someone doesn’t respond to the warning, it’s his own fault; his blood will be on his own head (verses 4–5)—that is, his death will be his own responsibility. But if the watchman fails to warn the people and someone dies, then—though that person will have died because of his (own) sin—the watchman will also be held accountable for his death, his blood (verse 6).

Ezekiel was such a “watchman;” he had been faithful to warn his countrymen, his fellow exiles (verse 2). Now it would be up to them to respond to his warnings.

Are we also willing to serve as “watchmen”? Are we ready to warn our friends and neighbors of the coming judgment? All believers are called to be “watchmen” for somebody.

7–9 See Ezekiel 3:16–19 and comment.

10–11 Here, for the first time, the exiles acknowledge their offenses and sins, which—together with the sins of those still remaining in Judah—have been the cause of God’s judgment on the land. They feel they are wasting away because of their sins. “How then can we live?” they ask (verse 10).

And God’s answer is: “Turn! Turn from your evil ways!” (verse 11). God wants people to turn; He wants them to live, not to die (see Ezekiel 18:21–23,30–32 and comment).

12–20 In these verses, God further expands on the exiles’ question: “How then can we live?” (verse 10). We “live” by choosing to act righteously day by day. True repentance (turning from evil) can outweigh a lifetime of evil deeds; willful disobedience, on the other hand, can outweigh a lifetime of good deeds. One’s former righteousness will not save him if, in the end, he turns from it (verse 12). It is important, therefore, that we end well; he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Mark 13:13; 2 Timothy 4:7–8).

For further discussion of verses 12–20, see Ezekiel 18:24–29 and comment.

Jerusalem’s Fall Explained (33:21–33)

21–22 Five months after Jerusalem fell,⁷³ a man who had escaped—a fugitive (Ezekiel 24:26)—came to Ezekiel with news that the city had fallen. Then Ezekiel’s mouth was opened (see Ezekiel 3:26; 24:27).

23–29 The Lord tells Ezekiel that the Israelites who have survived the destruction of Jerusalem are still convinced that God will not take away their land (verse 24). But the Lord says that because they have broken His covenant⁷⁴ (verse 25), they shall certainly not possess the land (verse 26); instead, they will die by the sword, by wild animals, and by plague (verse 27). Then, when the Lord has made the land desolate, His purpose in judging the Israelites will be accomplished: “Then they will know that I am the LORD” (verse 29).

30–33 Here the Lord speaks words of reassurance to Ezekiel. The Lord knows that so far the exiled Israelites have not taken Ezekiel’s words to heart; they have not put them into practice (verse 31). With their mouths they express devotion to the Lord, but not with their hearts (see Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:6; James 1:22–25). In fact, they have looked on Ezekiel as an entertainer, as a singer of songs (verse 32). But the next morning they are going to hear the news that Ezekiel has just heard: Jerusalem has fallen—just as Ezekiel had prophesied. Then the exiles would know that Ezekiel was a true prophet indeed! (verse 33).